NFC North power rankings: Where do Packers stand in 2023?

2. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are the defending NFC North champions, but they don't enter the summer in first place of the power rankings.

Only two of the Vikings' 13 victories last season weren't by a single score. They were undefeated in one-score games in the regular season, but that run came to an end in a playoff defeat to the New York Giants.

Minnesota selected wide receiver Jordan Addison in the first round to replace Adam Thielen.

The Vikings should be competitive in the NFC North again this season, especially with all the talent they have on offense. However, there are still concerns for a defense that ranked No. 31 in the league last year. Have the Vikings done enough to improve on this side of the ball?

Hiring Brian Flores as their new defensive coordinator was a smart move, but the Vikings passing on cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Joey Porter Jr. and edge rushers Myles Murphy and Nolan Smith in the first round may prove to be a mistake.

The Vikings will compete in the wide-open NFC North this season and they have a good chance of reaching the playoffs. But has Minnesota done enough this spring to go beyond the first round?